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October Science on Tap Speaker to Focus on Wild Rice History & Ecology

Science on Tap-Minocqua

Peter David loves everything about wild rice from its ecological value to how it tastes.

“I think it’s interesting in so many different ways,” said David.

As a wildlife biologist for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission you may wonder why someone who studies animals would be leading a talk on a plant.

“Wild rice, even though it is a plant, it is a tremendously valuable plant to a whole variety of wildlife species. So it’s a pretty natural tie in, especially in the Ojibwe world view where all these parts of nature are connected and interwoven anyway,” said David.

David has been working with wild rice for over three decades. He has studied its historical and ecological value as he participated in its harvesting.

“You literally development sort of a relationship with it and have learned a great deal from it. It’s a tremendously generous plant and it is a very persevering plant in a challenged landscape. It’s given me examples of how I should live my own life in some ways,” said David.

He hopes by sharing his love of wild rice it will inspire other to create their own relationship with the plant.

“Getting out into the rice beds and spending time in them just to appreciate beauty and the biodiversity that’s there. To become harvesters and to make that part of their own life,” said David.

Peter David is the speaker fo Science on Tap-Minocqua Wednesday, October 7.

It’s being held live via Zoom and Youtube starting at 6:30 p.m. You can access it on the Science on Tap Minocqua website.

Katie Thoresen is WXPR's News Director/Vice President.
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